Wednesday, 15 December 2010
Tuesday, 7 December 2010
Wednesday, 24 November 2010
Tuesday, 23 November 2010
Monday, 22 November 2010
Thursday, 18 November 2010
Building Flow
The building is still?
People move through the building, going about their business. Somebody is running, dodging between people to get to their destination. Others take their time and almost drift from spot to spot. Certain materials in the building expand and contract, imperceptibly. A draught comes in through an open door. Warm air is drawn up by natural ventilation. A class is underway and knowledge is imparted. Eyes move about the room. Electricity moves through the building's circuitry and information enters via Internet connections and phone signals. A tap is opened and water is drawn under pressure through the pipework. A toilet is flushed and waste travels out of the building.
People move through the building, going about their business. Somebody is running, dodging between people to get to their destination. Others take their time and almost drift from spot to spot. Certain materials in the building expand and contract, imperceptibly. A draught comes in through an open door. Warm air is drawn up by natural ventilation. A class is underway and knowledge is imparted. Eyes move about the room. Electricity moves through the building's circuitry and information enters via Internet connections and phone signals. A tap is opened and water is drawn under pressure through the pipework. A toilet is flushed and waste travels out of the building.
Thursday, 11 November 2010
Wednesday, 3 November 2010
Monday, 25 October 2010
Monday, 11 October 2010
Anson Branch History
It would appear that the Anson Branch was named after Thomas Anson, 1st Earl of Lichfield (also known as The Viscount Anson) who owned land in Willenhall.
The branch was probably cut to make more viable the mining of ironstone which was begining to happen in nearby Reeds Wood and subsequently at Parkbrook colliery (today the site of Junction 10). Four acres of Simeon Foster's land was sold for £295 to the Birmingham Canal Company in the 1830s. The presence of the canal benefited the Earl of Bedford's estate and its forays into mineral extraction.
The mining of Blueflats Ironstone took place at Parkbrook Colliery but the workings did not impact upon our site being mainly concerned with land west of the brook. However, coal may have been worked from under the site.
The branch was probably cut to make more viable the mining of ironstone which was begining to happen in nearby Reeds Wood and subsequently at Parkbrook colliery (today the site of Junction 10). Four acres of Simeon Foster's land was sold for £295 to the Birmingham Canal Company in the 1830s. The presence of the canal benefited the Earl of Bedford's estate and its forays into mineral extraction.
The mining of Blueflats Ironstone took place at Parkbrook Colliery but the workings did not impact upon our site being mainly concerned with land west of the brook. However, coal may have been worked from under the site.
Site Context
This photograph is taken from the Kentucky Fried Chicken outlet beside Junction 10 of the M6. The site is in the centre of the photograph in the trees just beyond the green of the playing field. Just in front is the line of Sneyd Brook running across the shot. The slight rise of the land behind the site towards Southbourne Avenue and Durham Road can just be discerned.
Water V
Water in Sneyd Brook
'Bridge' across Sneyd Brook
The Anson Branch canal near the Wolverhampton Road
Wednesday, 6 October 2010
NO WEALTH BUT LIFE
"THERE IS NO WEALTH BUT LIFE. Life, including all its powers of love, of joy, and of admiration. That country is richest which nourishes the greatest number of noble and happy human beings; that man is richest who, having perfected the functions of his own life to the utmost, has also the widest helpful influence, both personal, and by means of his possessions, over the lives of others." John Ruskin Unto This Last
Some Definitions
From the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary:
Alum A whitish transparent mineral salt, crystallizing in octahedrons, very astringent; chemically a double sulphate of aluminium potassium.
Health 1. Soundness of body; that condition in which its functions are duly discharged. 2. Hence, the general condition of the body. 4. Spiritual, moral, or mental soundness; salvation. 5. Well-being, safety; deliverance.
Wealth 1. The condition of being happy and prosperous; well-being.
Welfare The state or condition of doing or being well; good fortune, happiness, or well-being (of a person, community, or thing); prosperity.
Well from the Old English wella wave and Old Norse vella boiling heat, ebullition 1. A spring of water rising to the surface of the earth and forming a small pool or flowing in a spring b. A spring of water supposed to be of miraculous origin or to have supernatural healing powers; also, a medicinal or mineral spring 2b. That from which something springs or arises; a source or origin 3. A pit dug into the ground to obtain a supply of spring-water; spec. a vertical excavation, usu. circular in form and lined with masonry, sunk to such a depth as to penetrate a water-bearing stratum.
Well In a state of good fortune, welfare or happiness.
Well-being The state of being or doing well in life; happy, healthy, or prosperous condition; welfare.
Alum A whitish transparent mineral salt, crystallizing in octahedrons, very astringent; chemically a double sulphate of aluminium potassium.
Health 1. Soundness of body; that condition in which its functions are duly discharged. 2. Hence, the general condition of the body. 4. Spiritual, moral, or mental soundness; salvation. 5. Well-being, safety; deliverance.
Wealth 1. The condition of being happy and prosperous; well-being.
Welfare The state or condition of doing or being well; good fortune, happiness, or well-being (of a person, community, or thing); prosperity.
Well from the Old English wella wave and Old Norse vella boiling heat, ebullition 1. A spring of water rising to the surface of the earth and forming a small pool or flowing in a spring b. A spring of water supposed to be of miraculous origin or to have supernatural healing powers; also, a medicinal or mineral spring 2b. That from which something springs or arises; a source or origin 3. A pit dug into the ground to obtain a supply of spring-water; spec. a vertical excavation, usu. circular in form and lined with masonry, sunk to such a depth as to penetrate a water-bearing stratum.
Well In a state of good fortune, welfare or happiness.
Well-being The state of being or doing well in life; happy, healthy, or prosperous condition; welfare.
Some Keywords
health | water | well | well-being | wellness | educate | build | life | life-giving | nourish | feed | wealth | share | element | teach | connect | mine | source
Local Hospitals
'...in 1878 a new hospital was opened on the site of the Mount; it was designed by Henman, Harrison & Perrott of London. (fn. 95) It was initially an accident hospital, and it was not until 1894 that medical cases were admitted. (fn. 96) In that year the name was changed to Walsall and District Hospital; it became Walsall General Hospital in 1918 and Walsall General (Sister Dora) Hospital in 1954.'
'The poor-law guardians opened an infirmary, designed by H. E. Lavender of Walsall, at the workhouse in Pleck Road in 1896. It was taken over by the corporation in 1930 as a general hospital and named Manor Hospital. The workhouse itself, which was renamed Beacon Lodge, became St. John's Hospital after the Walsall Hospital Management Committee was set up in 1948; it was subsequently developed as the geriatric unit of Manor Hospital.'
from Victoria County History
'The poor-law guardians opened an infirmary, designed by H. E. Lavender of Walsall, at the workhouse in Pleck Road in 1896. It was taken over by the corporation in 1930 as a general hospital and named Manor Hospital. The workhouse itself, which was renamed Beacon Lodge, became St. John's Hospital after the Walsall Hospital Management Committee was set up in 1948; it was subsequently developed as the geriatric unit of Manor Hospital.'
from Victoria County History
Coal
The Victoria County History records that coal was being mined in Walsall from at least the 14th century and there is documentary evidence of a farmer of Walsall manor renting coal-mines. Ironstone mining is also recoded from a similar time.
It was though from 1750 through to 1870 that the South Staffordshire coalfield underwent rapid exploitation.
It was though from 1750 through to 1870 that the South Staffordshire coalfield underwent rapid exploitation.
Hot Holes
Most of the field names on Simeon Foster's farm are self-explanatory but the origin of the name of Upper and Lower Hot Holes is more puzzling.
Given the presence locally of mineral springs and wells there could be a connection to water. Alternatively the 'hot holes' may have some connection to the mining and mineral exploitation hereabouts. Another option is the presence of peat (as at 'Peat Bank Piece') it seems unlikely perhaps but this recent report from Mali suggests one possibility:
'Red hot earth beneath the desert sands of Mali is caused by naturally burning peat deposits - not volcanos, as previously thought - a field expedition has found.
Soil in the Timbuktu region sporadically seems to bake, fumes spew from glowing-hot holes and trees and scrub burn from the roots.' The Guardian 10/07/03
Given the presence locally of mineral springs and wells there could be a connection to water. Alternatively the 'hot holes' may have some connection to the mining and mineral exploitation hereabouts. Another option is the presence of peat (as at 'Peat Bank Piece') it seems unlikely perhaps but this recent report from Mali suggests one possibility:
'Red hot earth beneath the desert sands of Mali is caused by naturally burning peat deposits - not volcanos, as previously thought - a field expedition has found.
Soil in the Timbuktu region sporadically seems to bake, fumes spew from glowing-hot holes and trees and scrub burn from the roots.' The Guardian 10/07/03
19th Century Field Names
The above plan shows the site superimposed over the field plan from the 1840 Tithe Map for Walsall. The land is owned by the Earl of Bradford and the named fields are farmed by Simeon Foster who probably lived in the cottage in Cottage Field.
Tuesday, 5 October 2010
Earthworks
Above is the site and building outlined on the 1943 OS map. The earthworks marked around and under the site are clear on OS maps since the first edition here in 1887. Although the site has the former James Bridge Colliery close by to the south it looks from the various tracks marked on maps that these workings are associated with the Bradford Colliery reached by bridges over the Sneyd Brook and Anson Branch Canal.
The Earl of Bradford invested heavily and bravely (or carelessly depending upon your point of view) in mining on his land including here in the Walsall area... 'despite serious debts [he] initiated an expansionist policy and soldiered on regardless'. In a 50-year period around the mid-nineteenth century his estate realised over £60,000 from mineral royalties.
Workings in this area were for coal, limestone, ironstone and brick clay.
A brief aside: according to a New Scientist article by Chris Howes (December 1989) about underground photography the earliest coal mining picture was taken at Bradford Colliery in 1865.
Water IV
More from the Victoria County History - 'Walsall came within the area supplied by the South Staffordshire Water Works Co., which opened its first works in 1858 at Lichfield with a reservoir at Moat Hill in Walsall south of Wolverhampton Road'.
The reservoir eventually made way for the Doroth Pattison Hospital.
The reservoir eventually made way for the Doroth Pattison Hospital.
Water III
As well as the 'stinking ditch' and the inauspicious brook there is another watery subject in this part of Walsall - wells.
Our site includes parts of two historic fields alluding to wells - 'Well Piece' and 'Alumwell Close'. Documentary evidence records an alum well on the site of the manor and its moat - 'There was an alum well in the Moat Hill area. In 1855 it was stated to contain a strong chalybeate water and formerly to have been a place of much resort, although lately fallen into disuse'. Today this well's presence is recorded in 'Alumwell Road' a couple of streets to the east of the site.
Chalybeate water was believed to have health-giving properties through its high levels of iron. It could also have had an industrial purpose as alum has been used as fix for natural cloth dyes.
Our site includes parts of two historic fields alluding to wells - 'Well Piece' and 'Alumwell Close'. Documentary evidence records an alum well on the site of the manor and its moat - 'There was an alum well in the Moat Hill area. In 1855 it was stated to contain a strong chalybeate water and formerly to have been a place of much resort, although lately fallen into disuse'. Today this well's presence is recorded in 'Alumwell Road' a couple of streets to the east of the site.
Chalybeate water was believed to have health-giving properties through its high levels of iron. It could also have had an industrial purpose as alum has been used as fix for natural cloth dyes.
Water II
The Anson Branch Canal, quarter of a mile west of the site, was built completed in 1830 - more than sixty years after it had been authorised. It is a branch of the Walsall Canal (part of the Birmingham Canal Navigations). It was also once connected to the Wyrley and Essington Canal via the Bentley Canal
It was built to serve the coal and limestone industry in the area.
It was built to serve the coal and limestone industry in the area.
Water I
Sneyd Brook, a short distance to the west of the site and school boundary, was for many centuries the limit of Walsall Parish. This tributary of the River Tame was known as Bentley Brook further south and is also referred to as Park Brook in this area. Today there is still an inn of this name on the Wolverhampton Road where it crosses the brook.
According to a document at Walsall Local History Centre (Ref No: 35/36/17a-b) the name 'Sneyd' originates in 1410and means a piece, a fragment or something cut-off and in this case refers to part of Essington manor that 'intrudes' into the manors of Walsall and Wednesfield.
Much of the brook's flow was once diverted to supply the nearby Anson Branch canal. The water that does continue along this inauspicious ditch eventually reaches the North Sea via the Tame and Trent rivers.
According to a document at Walsall Local History Centre (Ref No: 35/36/17a-b) the name 'Sneyd' originates in 1410and means a piece, a fragment or something cut-off and in this case refers to part of Essington manor that 'intrudes' into the manors of Walsall and Wednesfield.
Much of the brook's flow was once diverted to supply the nearby Anson Branch canal. The water that does continue along this inauspicious ditch eventually reaches the North Sea via the Tame and Trent rivers.
Geology of Walsall
"The geology of Walsall is dominated by middle and upper coal measures and Silurian limestone overlain in the main by boulder clay and some alluvial deposits. This geology extends across the borough to the Vigo fault which lies to the east of the borough running north to south from Brownhills through Aldridge. To the east of this fault lie Triassic sandstones overlain in some isolated parts by boulder clay and stratified sands and gravel. "
From 'Contaminated Land Inspection Strategy Implementation of Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990'. Produced by Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council, June 2001
From 'Contaminated Land Inspection Strategy Implementation of Part IIA of the Environmental Protection Act 1990'. Produced by Walsall Metropolitan Borough Council, June 2001
Monday, 4 October 2010
History Summary
The site is situated 2 miles west of the centre of Walsall in the West Midlands. Historically this was part of the Offlow Hundred in the county of Staffordshire. The site is towards the western limit of the old parish of Walsall and is in what for several hundred years was park land belonging to the Manor of Walsall – Willmore writes in his 1887 history of Walsall that ‘in the time of Henry VIII the park abounded with deer and timber and within memory the remains of many old oaks have been found within its precincts’.
The site of a moat and the manor house sits half a mile to the east of the site and a few hundred yards to the west is the Sneyd Brook, long time limit of the parish. To the north is the Wolverhampton Road and to the south Park Farm and Pleck. These constants help us fix the new building’s position. The manor passed down through many owners from Edward the Confessor through such notables as Herbert Ruffus, the Marquis of Dorset, Henry VII, Queen Mary and the Earl of Bradford.
By 1763 the land is owned by Right Honourable the Countess Dowager of Mountrath. It is still marked as ‘Park Lands’ hereabouts but the land has been divided and the site is occupied by a 4 acre field being farmed by a Joseph Marlow and is called ‘Park Piece’. Joseph seems to have lived in a small farm on the site of the subsequent James Bridge Colliery and farmed 84 acres of the Manor land.
By 1840 and the time of the Tithe Map the land is still part of the Manor (now under the ownership of Sir Orlando Bridgeman, 2nd Baron of Bradford and 1st Earl of Bradford). ‘Park Piece’ is now called ‘Alumwell Close’ and is farmed by a Simeon Foster. Fields nearby are called ‘Well Piece’, ‘Upper Hovel Close’, ‘Lower Ho[?}t Holes’ and ‘Peat Bank Piece’. The farmhouse for this collection of fields now seems to have moved to a small dwelling on the Wolverhampton Road.
According to the Victoria County History the manor descended with the earldom (of Bradford) until 1945 when the greater part of the estate was sold. By this time housing was spreading west reaching Primley Avenue by the late 1940s. In the early 1950s infant and junior schools were built just to the north of the site and in 1971 the secondary school arrived on site.
Between the 1880s and 1940s map evidence shows the site as a handful of fields surrounded by industry to the north, south and west and a growing Walsall to the east. Earthworks and tracks on Ordnance Survey maps suggest that the site was linked with the Bradford Colliery just over the canal to the west. To the south was the larger James Bridge Colliery which subsequently became home to various workings, refineries and manufactories.
The site of a moat and the manor house sits half a mile to the east of the site and a few hundred yards to the west is the Sneyd Brook, long time limit of the parish. To the north is the Wolverhampton Road and to the south Park Farm and Pleck. These constants help us fix the new building’s position. The manor passed down through many owners from Edward the Confessor through such notables as Herbert Ruffus, the Marquis of Dorset, Henry VII, Queen Mary and the Earl of Bradford.
By 1763 the land is owned by Right Honourable the Countess Dowager of Mountrath. It is still marked as ‘Park Lands’ hereabouts but the land has been divided and the site is occupied by a 4 acre field being farmed by a Joseph Marlow and is called ‘Park Piece’. Joseph seems to have lived in a small farm on the site of the subsequent James Bridge Colliery and farmed 84 acres of the Manor land.
By 1840 and the time of the Tithe Map the land is still part of the Manor (now under the ownership of Sir Orlando Bridgeman, 2nd Baron of Bradford and 1st Earl of Bradford). ‘Park Piece’ is now called ‘Alumwell Close’ and is farmed by a Simeon Foster. Fields nearby are called ‘Well Piece’, ‘Upper Hovel Close’, ‘Lower Ho[?}t Holes’ and ‘Peat Bank Piece’. The farmhouse for this collection of fields now seems to have moved to a small dwelling on the Wolverhampton Road.
According to the Victoria County History the manor descended with the earldom (of Bradford) until 1945 when the greater part of the estate was sold. By this time housing was spreading west reaching Primley Avenue by the late 1940s. In the early 1950s infant and junior schools were built just to the north of the site and in 1971 the secondary school arrived on site.
Between the 1880s and 1940s map evidence shows the site as a handful of fields surrounded by industry to the north, south and west and a growing Walsall to the east. Earthworks and tracks on Ordnance Survey maps suggest that the site was linked with the Bradford Colliery just over the canal to the west. To the south was the larger James Bridge Colliery which subsequently became home to various workings, refineries and manufactories.
The Site
The site in Walsall, West Midlands is situated at grid reference SJ 995 984 close to Junction 10 of the M6. The land lies approximately 125 metres above sea level.
The land is part of Alumwell Business & Enterprise College and construction has recently started here on a new educational facility that will, according to a briefing note, 'simulate health and social care environments for the purpose of learning, development and work experience for Diploma and other key curriculum development that will facilitate the acquisition of occupational and leadership and management skills which are integral to the development of both the Health and Social Care sectors'.
The building has been designed by BBLB architects and is being constructed by Wilmott Dixon.
The land is part of Alumwell Business & Enterprise College and construction has recently started here on a new educational facility that will, according to a briefing note, 'simulate health and social care environments for the purpose of learning, development and work experience for Diploma and other key curriculum development that will facilitate the acquisition of occupational and leadership and management skills which are integral to the development of both the Health and Social Care sectors'.
The building has been designed by BBLB architects and is being constructed by Wilmott Dixon.
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